Life of a service dog: Can dogs really fly?
As I grow up I am beginning to learn more about what it takes to be a service dog. A good service dog has to be healthy, happy, confident and steady. Oh, and did I say smart? All of these traits are also traits many Coast Guardsmen have. Just as in their training, I am provided all sorts of experiences so I can be prepared. I’d like to think I am “always ready” just like they are!
Life of a service dog: My heritage
Veterans Moving Forward provides veterans with therapy and service dogs and amongst the puppies they are raising to help veterans cope with various injuries is an assistance dog in training that is near and dear to our hearts. His name is Nathan, in honor of Petty Officer 3rd Class Nathan Bruckenthal. Compass is sharing Nathan’s journey from birth, through his puppy “years” and into his final stages of training in our series “Life of a service dog.” We hope you enjoy Nathan’s story as he goes from a clumsy puppy to a focused service animal ready to serve our nation’s veterans.
Life of a service dog: Training time!
As a future service dog my training takes many forms. I must understand human words and execute them, I must possess situational awareness so I know what is appropriate and I must have exposure to many types of things and places – as many as my human handler can think of so when I grow up nothing will scare me. If something does startle me I have to learn to recover quickly ‘cause people depend on me.
Life of a service dog: Meeting the Bruckenthals
As a young pup I was told a lot about becoming a service dog, even though I really did not know what it all meant. I just figured I would understand someday. For now, I was busy having fun learning about all the new things in my life but my handler thought it was time for me to learn a little more about my namesake, Petty Officer 3rd Class Nathan “Nate” Bruckenthal. Since I can’t read, my handler thought it was best for me to visit Arlington National Cemetery to introduce me to Nate.
Life of a service dog: The Big Apple
Veterans Moving Forward provides veterans with therapy and service dogs and amongst the puppies they are raising to help veterans cope with various injuries is an assistance dog in training that is near and dear to our hearts. His name [...]
Life of a service dog: Capitol Hill
Veterans Moving Forward provides veterans with therapy and service dogs and amongst the puppies they are raising to help veterans cope with various injuries is an assistance dog in training that is near and dear to our hearts. His name [...]
Life of a service dog
Petty Officer 3rd Class Nathan Bruckenthal was on a security mission near the Iraqi Khawr Al Amaya Oil Terminal in April 2004 when suicide bombers initiated a waterborne assault. He was severely wounded and later died from his injuries. Bruckenthal [...]
